The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) has set up a design review panel to specially provide expert advice on the design quality of seven new Crossrail stations.

When it opens in 2017, Crossrail will provide high-frequency rail access into and across London, running from Maidenhead and Heathrow through to Shenfield and Abbey Wood. It will have a major impact on London's transport network, increasing its capacity and bringing an additional 1.5 million people within 60 minutes commuting distance of central London.

During 2009 the panel will assess designs for stations at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel and Custom House.

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The panel brings together 12 built environment experts, including people with experience of transport infrastructure. It is chaired by Les Sparks OBE, a former CABE commissioner who headed CABE's national design panel, and its vice-chair is CABE commissioner Ken Shuttleworth.

Mr Sparks said: "Design review by CABE has been tried and tested. Over the last nine years it has had a significant impact on the quality of new buildings and spaces. This initiative with Crossrail shows a commitment to ensure that this huge investment in transport infrastructure results in exceptional buildings that Londoners can be proud of."

The panel will look at the exterior of the station buildings, entrances and ticket halls, as well as the buildings above the stations. It will assess aesthetic quality, how the building relates to its surroundings, quality of materials, inclusiveness and accessibility.

Designs will be reviewed early on in the process so that comments can be taken on board well before schemes are submitted as planning applications to local authorities.

(CD/JM)